Lee and Hayden warm up for Ashes

Brett Lee and Matthew Hayden each served ominous notice of the Ashes threat they will pose to England as the tourists took charge against Leicestershire on day one of their only first-class match before next week's first Test at Lord's.

Brett Lee and Matthew Hayden each served ominous notice of the Ashes threat they will pose to England as the tourists took charge against Leicestershire on day one of their only first-class match before next week's first Test at Lord's.

Lee (four for 53) saw off three of the first four in the home order and eliminated the other when John Sadler had to go off for an X-ray on an injured shoulder in a below-par 217 all out. Then Hayden (75) dominated an opening stand of 131 with Justin Langer (71 not out).

At the close Australia had reached 169-2, just 48 runs adrift.

Meanwhile Graham Thorpe refused to be bitter about his Ashes snub.

The uncapped Kevin Pietersen, 10 years younger at 25, has been preferred for the No 5 spot at Lord's. But Thorpe said: "I wish the boys all the best for the Test next week. There are no hard feelings.

"Of course I was disappointed, but I accept it, the decision has been made.

"Life goes on and I am still a happy soul inside.

"In my mind there was always a chance it could happen but you don't believe it until it does and it took yesterday for it to sink in."